--- a/rdfdb/service.py	Sat Jun 01 20:03:05 2019 +0000
+++ b/rdfdb/service.py	Sat Jun 01 20:03:44 2019 +0000
@@ -262,9 +262,9 @@
             self.watchedFiles.dirtyFiles([ctx])
         graphStats.statements = len(self.graph)
 
-    def _syncPatchToOtherClients(self, p: Patch, sender: str):
+    def _syncPatchToOtherClients(self, p: Patch, sender: Optional[str]=None):
         for c in self.clients:
-            if c.connectionId == sender:
+            if sender is not None and c.connectionId == sender:
                 # this client has self-applied the patch already
                 log.debug("_syncPatchToOtherClients: don't resend to %r", c)
                 continue

--- a/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py	Sat Jun 01 20:03:05 2019 +0000
+++ b/rdfdb/syncedgraph.py	Sat Jun 01 20:03:44 2019 +0000
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 
     def onOpen(self):
         log.info('ws open')
+        self.sg.isConnected = True
         
     def onMessage(self, payload, isBinary):
         msg = json.loads(payload)
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@
 
     def onClose(self, wasClean, code, reason):
         log.info("WebSocket connection closed: {0}".format(reason))
+        self.sg.isConnected = False
 
 class SyncedGraph(CurrentStateGraphApi, AutoDepGraphApi, GraphEditApi):
     """
@@ -112,7 +114,8 @@
 
         receiverHost is the hostname other nodes can use to talk to me
         """
-
+        self.isConnected = False
+        self.currentClient: Optional[WsClientProtocol] = None
         self.connectSocket(rdfdbRoot)
         self.rdfdbRoot = rdfdbRoot
         self.initiallySynced: defer.Deferred[None] = defer.Deferred()
@@ -162,6 +165,10 @@
         """send this patch to the server and apply it to our local
         graph and run handlers"""
 
+        if not self.isConnected or self.currentClient is None:
+            log.warn("not currently connected- dropping patch")
+            return
+
         if p.isNoop():
             log.info("skipping no-op patch")
             return